vegetation productivity

INFLUENCE OF NATURAL AND CLIMATIC FACTORS ON THE NUMBERS OF SAIGAS (SAIGA TATARICA PALL.) (BOVIDAE, ARTIODACTYLA) BETWEEN THE VOLGA AND URAL RIVERS

Characteristics of the Uralian saiga habitats are discussed. Periods of high and low abundance of the animals that alternate depending on the productivity of plant communities and territorial humidity (the number of watering-places) due to climate changes are shown. After the occurring periodic mass death of saigas, their population is quickly restored to its previous level, according to the existing feed and water resources.